Tips and Examples for Writing your Rice University Supplements
Owls at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia
Rice University is the only college or university in the state of Texas that isn’t on Apply Texas. Rice accepts the Common or Coalition Application. In addition to the required 650-word long essay, each first-time freshman applicant must submit responses to three supplements: discuss your major, Why Rice and a diversity essay linked to their Residential College System. This prompt is not part of Fall 2021 freshman admissions. Applicants must also upload a photo or image that appeals to them in “The Box.”
Rice is also one of the only Texas universities that offers a binding Early-Decision November 1 deadline option and the request for interviews. Otherwise, everyone must complete their Regular Decision applications by January 1, a month later than UT-Austin and Texas A&M’s final deadline. ED applicants are admitted at twice the rate of RD prospects.
Rice admits only 9% of it’s applicants and has a middle 50% test score range of AT 33-35 and SAT 1460-1560. That means a quarter of admitted students have basically perfect standardized test scores, and few who score outside of the top ten percent of test-takers nationwide will gain admission. Still, given the limited spaces, many applicants with near-perfect academics will get denied from Rice.
Like most other Texas universities, they have gone Test Optional for Fall 2021. Some students are asking if I think Rice will somehow be easier since they’ve gone test-optional. I think it’s the opposite. A likely increase in application numbers means an even lower admissions rate than before. If you’ve scored higher than a 1450 or 32, submit your score.
Still, Rice is extraordinarily competitive, comparable with most selective universities nationwide. 60% of enrollees come from outside of Texas. Consider that Rice admits a lower percentage of applicants than Cornell, Dartmouth, U Penn, Northwestern, Duke, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgetown.
If you don’t feel you’re competitive for the above schools, Rice is probably out of reach. Often, Texas residents throw Rice on the list when there is little to no chance of gaining admission because it’s in-state and nearby. Since they have additional supplemental essays, it requires extra time beyond your Apply Texas schools. Unless your family makes less than $200,000, you are expected to pay the full cost of attendance.
Every year, my clients gain admission to Rice, but none have enrolled because they assess UT-Austin or Texas A&M as providing a better value and less potential debt. Building a debt-manageable and reasonable college list is critical for managing expectations and college admissions anxieties. Choose wisely whether Rice is worth the effort to apply and if it’s an education you can potentially afford.
Interested in working together on your UT-Austin or Common Application essays? Complete my questionnaire for a free e-mail consultation.
Converting your Apply Texas Essay A to the Common Application Essay
Since Rice isn’t on Apply Texas, you will need to submit an essay for either the Common or Coalition applications. Since most applicants submit the Common App, and since Common App has hard word limits, I focus here on converting your Apply Texas Essay A to meet this requirement. Generally, for Texas residents, it saves a lot of time and energy to submit a single long essay rather than writing separate submissions for Apply Texas and the Common App.
Apply Texas has recommended word limits of 500-700 words for its Essay A, but in practice, Apply Texas doesn’t have any hard word limits. In practice, Apply Texas’s 80 lines of 120 characters equates to an absolute word maximum of around 830-850 words, so yes, your Essay A can be longer than 700 words. I discuss word limits further.
Since Essay A “Tell Us Your Story” is such a broad topic, it can fit easily into one of the Common or Coalition options. I suggest writing and polishing Essay A first before trimming it down to fit within Common App’s firm 650-word limit. Common App does not allow a single word in excess of the word limits for either the long essay or the supplements.
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Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected (150 words)
This supplement short answer requires a straightforward and direct response to why you’re majoring in your area of interest. Almost all students applying to UT-Austin will provide a shortened version of their UT Major supplement.
It isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can help your essay by identifying and writing briefly about any courses, professors, research labs, study abroads, academic organizations, or certificate programs that interest you. Moreover, since Rice is a smaller university, they have fewer amounts of majors, but they have an emphasis on discovery and interdisciplinary studies, so it’s important to do homework about what sets Rice’s academic units apart from other selective universities.
Rice Academic Area Example: Economics
The interdisciplinary approach of the supplementary Managerial Studies major appeals to my interest in how macro- and microeconomic conditions dictate corporate strategies. I intend to double major in Economics so that I can develop economic analysis and statistics tools to better understand consumer behavior. I look forward to exploring the social sciences and taking courses like the Behavioral Economics (Econ 210) elective requirement, which should integrate the discussion of firm decision-making covered in the Financial Economics (Econ 443) Managerial Studies core.
In addition, I want to explore statistical modeling tools through the Financial Computation and Modeling (FCAM) minor program. I hope to investigate the financial technologies that analyze market behavior and investment strategies. Overall, I admire that the course offerings deviate from a traditional business major and towards a comprehensive overview of the internal and external environment of a firm.
Rice Academic Area Example: Psychology
After two years of experiencing severe stomach pain and nausea, doctors diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I searched for every related book I could get my hands on to explain the link between mental and physical health. As a result, I pursued an internship at the local counseling office to further expand my knowledge concerning GAD. I genuinely want to understand how mental health affects people. It fascinates me unlike anything else.
After interviewing psychiatrists, licensed professional counselors, and nurse practitioners, I intend to obtain a Ph.D. and become a professor of abnormal psychology. Nothing seems more exciting than investigating the sources and treatments for mental health and contribute to the wider body of knowledge to inform and support future generations. To achieve my goal, I plan to take a multi-disciplinary approach and double-major in psychology and neuroscience with a minor in data analysis.
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 words)
If you didn’t mention any specific opportunities that appeal to you in your Rice Major essay, you definitely need to do so here. Writing your “Why Rice” essay requires identifying at least a few reasons that makes Rice unique among all the colleges you’re applying. Visiting campus, like the first example below, obviously helps. Discuss any observations or interactions from your visit and discuss briefly relevant organizations or communities that appeal to you. It also helps to strike a balance between academic and Rice community activities.
If you haven’t visited Rice, like the second example below, it may help to read student blogs, watch Youtube videos, read or listen to a Rice professor interview, or find any relevant research that interests you. With Covid-19, it may help better inform your essay if you take a virtual tour or their other remote visit options. You can also see what Rice thinks sets them apart from other universities.
Why Rice? Campus Visit Example
During my visit to Rice, I became captivated by the experiential concept of the student-run businesses. I can see how on-campus opportunities provide real-world experience like Rice’s Coffeehouse. I appreciate it’s commitment to sustainability and plastic waste reduction, which aligns with my product sourcing analyst role in my mother’s online business. For instance, I identified the company 4Ocean for inclusion in her business brand portfolio. For each bracelet that the organization sells, they pledge to extract a pound of trash from the ocean.
I want a college that supports student interests and offers intimate communities. The Rice Undergraduate Finance Club appeals to me because students manage a portion of the university’s endowment through real investments. After expanding student access to a standardized comprehensive financial curriculum as a national officer for the Young Investors Society organization, I recognize the value of sharpening my financial acumen within a team setting.
Why Rice? No Visit Example
Because of my academic interests, undergraduate research opportunities are my top priority. Currently, I find myself the most captivated by the minds of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rice cultivates an environment of unrestrained intellectual curiosity. I’ve grown up on a farm, and the life and career of Temple Grandin who revolutionized the livestock industry fascinates me. Autism granted her gifts for understanding animal and human behavior in novel ways. Bonding with cattle led her to invent the “hug box” to calm people with autism spectrum disorders.
I’ve read of Deborah Pearson’s work in the Developmental Neuropsychology Clinic, and I would love to join her research team concerning therapeutic approaches to children with ASD or ADHD. Additionally, Rice’s commitment to maintaining small class sizes was a huge factor in my decision because small classes foster deeper discussions. I don’t want to take classes just to pass. I want to actually understand the material and how it applies to everyday life. I don’t feel it’s possible to have meaningful dialog and exchange in 100+ student lectures.
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Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community? (500 words)
This wordy supplement is a textbook example of a “diversity” essay, almost exactly like UT Austin’s “enrich the learning environment” diversity essay asking you to discuss an identity, interest, or talent. Whereas the UT Major short answer can be shortened to fit that 150-word prompt, many students expand upon their UT’s diversity essay with additional forecasts on how they perceive themselves on campus. Other ways to word this prompt are “tell us something you want us to know that you haven’t already mentioned in your application” or “describe the environment in which you were raised.”
This essay has two key steps: discussing what perspectives you bring to campus, and how you see yourself on campus. One option is to elaborate more on Why Rice by referencing campus clubs or student organizations relevant to your background or interests.
Students often get tripped up on the Residential College System wording, but that reference is as much about Rice’s value system and priorities as the living arrangements.
“Unlike many universities, Rice doesn’t have sororities or fraternities, nor is there an honors college or an athletic dorm. Instead, we randomly sort our new students into one of these 11 colleges. Because each student is randomly assigned and stays in the same college throughout their undergraduate years, the diversity of our student body creates a rich tapestry of traditions, culture, and, most importantly, community.”
Rice’s residential system is genuinely unique among Texas universities and models itself on Yale’s residential college system. Much of the community and campus life takes place inside and among the eleven colleges.
Our residential college experience conveys the rich flavor of academic life at Rice and allows students to combine their usual studies with an array of social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, innovative college-designed courses, and an active role in student government.
If you’ve visited campus or have friends or family who have lived in one of the residential colleges, it can help to identify one or two of the communities where you might belong. If not, do some homework regarding each college’s traditions, values, alum, and so on. Although the living and roommate assignments are distributed randomly - there is no Harry Potter Sorting Hat that considers your preferences - it can demonstrate to your reviewer that you’ve made at least some effort to research the Residential College System’s value and unique living situation.
Each example below focuses on how their background and beliefs will contribute to Rice’s diverse campus. Both share how they view themselves on campus.
Residential College System Diversity Example: Religion and Culture
As a practicing Sikh, I attend the weekly Sunday religious services at [redacted] temple. I am a lead youth worship volunteer responsible for reaching out to other area religious communities and helping with food service during the congregational meals. The vegetarian meals are free of charge and open to everyone, fostering an inclusive gathering for temple visitors irrespective of religion or ethnicity. I distribute food and water with a commitment to seva, or the selfless service towards others.
The term Sikh translates to a disciple or learner, and we seek prosperity for all of humankind. Our religion emphasizes interfaith relations, so we welcome people from all backgrounds interested in peace and equality.
I regularly attend cultural assemblies, and I became the first graduate from the local Punjabi language school at [my temple]. In addition, I facilitate donation collection, cash counting, cash reporting, and budgeting for our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
I strive to maintain close cultural and religious ties to my heritage, but intercultural exchanges are central to my life. In addition to supporting the Sikh community, I believe it is vital to give back to society at large. As a result, I have implemented the ChangeUp app initiative at [my temple], so members can round-up purchases and cumulatively contribute spare change to a selected nonprofit organization. Particularly, I desire to become a Community Bridges Fellows of the Rice Kinder Institute of Urban Research so that I can engage in fieldwork and sociology coursework that help alleviate poverty and address urban inequality in the Greater Houston area.
By aligning with Sikhism’s core community-focused Sangat philosophy, which refers to fellowship and the need for a cohesive community, I appreciate interacting with both young children and senior citizens. In fact, I have encouraged the youth at the temple to serve in a similar fashion, following my lead with funds management and meal service.
During my time at Rice, I would apply to be a Religious & Spiritual Genre Council Lead because I want to arrange inclusive events that bring students from varying backgrounds together. By planning networking events for students and alumni as a Genre Council Lead, I would have the opportunity to both espouse and embody Rice’s commitment of hospitality to each member of the community.
As an adherent of the Sikh religion, I recognize the necessity of interfaith relations to build an inclusive community interested in personal growth and professional development. At Rice, the randomized residential college system will offer fruitful opportunities to develop relationships with classmates from all backgrounds. By coordinating with the Rice Program Council (RPC), I hope to host events and discussions to build an inclusive community interested in personal growth and professional development. I seek to immerse myself in Rice’s diverse Sangat, or enter its welcoming network that offers academic, social, and philanthropic opportunities to build rewarding ties with members of the student community.
Residential College System Diversity Example: Rural Perspectives
Trust me, I would much rather spend my time participating in the typical suburbanite activities like gymnastics, music lessons, or maybe even yoga. However, as the daughter of a trailer tycoon, my evening pastimes include shaking buckets of ironically-cylindrical cattle cubes, leading the cattle into their pen and pacing myself, so the cattle walk quickly but don’t stampede. It surprises me that others haven’t considered that cows have personalities just like dogs or cats.
Blue, our massive Brahma bull, would walk up behind me and duck his head under my arm so I could pet and give him attention. The first couple of times he approached, I fled to safety fearing I encroached on his territory. Each time, however, he followed me to the fence and looked at me longingly with his fluttering big amberbrown eyes. Eventually, I accepted his invitation. HisThe calves he fathered share his friendly demeanor whereas calves from other bulls tended to shy away. Blue soon became one of my closest friends, and I made sure he got all the love and attention he deserved.
My grandfather shared his love of animals with my mother who passes down to me her dedication to the well-being of four-legged creatures of all shapes and sizes. As a vet, my grandfather confided with me that his patients were typically very kind and courteous. Their humans caused the problems. My mom, sister, and I probably go a little bit overboard sharing his compassion for animals, but we just can’t say no to whichever animal in need wanders onto our property.
We currently home six dogs and two cats as permanent residents. Countless more temporary guests have made their mark on our family over the years. Thankfully we live in a rural area where the dogs can roam, and the cats can scamper about. I must admit that when confronted by the “What is your spirit animal” question; I don’t hesitate to answer that my obese cat Felix embodies what I enjoy most – napping and free food. I’ve spent my entire life around animals. I credit them for making me more empathetic, loyal, and understanding.
At Rice, I see myself participating in several service-based organizations and providing free tutoring to my classmates. Living meaningfully to me requires helping others and contributing to the greater good. A job where my efforts translated into numbers on the bottom line would leave life meaningless and dull. It’s when you invest in others whether animal or human that life becomes interesting.
In keeping with Rice's long-standing tradition (known as "The Box"), please share an image of something that appeals to you. No words of explanation can be included.
You can upload just about anything you want (although definitely don’t submit actual grains of rice). The two example applicants I referenced in this post uploaded the branding of their family business and the other a picture of some of the family animals. I imagine it’s very rare that any applicant gets admitted and definitely not denied based solely on the image.
However, a unique picture that reflects some dimension of your talents or interests could help tip the scales in your favor. Since Rice reviews applicants by committee, this is your opportunity to present a different side of yourself. If you love to cook, tinker, repair, design, sketch, produce, or play something, show an image that reflects your passion.
Although you can share an image that references something you mention in your resume or essays, it’s also your opportunity to get off the college admissions script and share something meaningful to you even if it has no obvious relationship to improving your admissions chances.
In any case, I wouldn’t overthink this. I’ve known a few students who spent days and sometimes weeks agonizing what to upload, comparing and contrasting tens of images to try and find some mythical “perfect” photo.
Every blog post I share on Tex Admissions features a photo from my travels. Most are often totally irrelevant to the post content, but some like the Owls on this post, it is directly relevant, taken during a visit to KL’s Bird Park famous for its world’s largest indoor enclosure. So if I were applying to Rice, perhaps I’d upload these owls.